Overview
- The IIHF Council announced on July 30 that Russia will be barred from the 2027 Men's World Championship, the 2027 World Junior Championship, and both the U18 men's and U18 women's World Championships.
- The council said it reached the rulings after an event-by-event review that weighed safety, security, operational feasibility and the integrity of competition.
- Belarus was approved to play in selected lower-tier tournaments including the U18 men's event and two women's division events while being denied entry to the Men's Worlds and World Juniors, a move that has prompted some federations to say they will refuse to play or withdraw players.
- The Russian Ice Hockey Federation has said it will appeal the IIHF rulings to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and RIHF officials, including Vladislav Tretiak, have urged CAS to take an impartial approach.
- The ban keeps Russian national teams out of IIHF tournaments next season even as Russian players remain eligible in club competitions like the NHL and the IIHF warnings create potential schedule, format and participation challenges for hosts and other federations.